Recognising the pivotal role that data plays in shaping policies, the United Kingdom (UK) government has launched an International Data Masterclass in the country to empower data-driven decision-making among non-analytical and future leaders.
The International Data Masterclass, an online course, is intended to improve data and analytical literacy as well as help non-analytical leaders and future leaders across government put data and evidence at the heart of decision-making.
Additionally, the UK government is committed to fostering a culture across government whereby decisions are grounded in robust, driven insights in order to leave no one behind.
The comprehensive programme will cover a range of topics including data analysis, data science and data visualisation to specifically equip participants with essential skills to navigate complexities of the modern data ecosystem.
Highlighting the programme’s significance, Deputy British High Commissioner Keith McMahon described the programme as an online tool that will contribute to the creation of impactful policies.
“Understanding the language of data is key to making evidence-based decisions. Today, I am delighted to launch the International Data Masterclass; an online tool to improve a culture of data and analytical literacy, which will contribute to the creation of impactful policies,” he noted.
At the launch, Deputy Government Statistician-Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Dr Faustina Frempong-Ainguah called on Senior Government Officials, Chief Directors and Directors to take up the course – outlining the acquisition of skills to create data culture at the workplace, communicating compelling narratives for national development, among others, as key benefits they will derive from the programme.
According to her, GSS is excited about its collaboration with the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) in launching the International Data Masterclass.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from relevant case studies and keynote talks from leading data and statistics experts; such as Ghana Government Statistician Professor Samuel Kobina Annim and the UK National Statistician Sir Ian Diamond.
While the data masterclass primary target audience are non-analytical leaders and future leaders, the course is available to all management level professionals and serves as a refresher for those who are analytical.
The course will go live on Monday, December 4, 2023 and be available via the UN learning Hub, http://bit.ly/3R6rSDD.
About the International Data Masterclass
It is an online course that has been designed by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) in collaboration with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
The course is built around eleven keynote talks delivered by heads of national statistics departments from countries across the world, and leading experts in data and analysis – including Ghana Government Statistician Professor Samuel Annim and the UK National Statistician Sir Ian Diamond.
